Staying on top of food allergies

One thing that always has me on edge are bees. Allergies to bee stings run in my family and the last thing I would ever want is to be unprepared for a situation that may put my boys at risk. Luckily for those with severe allergies, there are so many ways to keep yourself prepared. I wanted to let all my readers know, especially those with kids going back to school like Mason or daycare like Asher, that there are measures to help provide reduce their risk.

Be sure to brush up on the basics and ensure that your child knows the triggers of a severe allergic reaction. Whether it’s peanuts, milk or any other allergen, every child should know what steps need to be taken in order to help reduce their risk.

• Parents need to inform the school, preschool or daycare of such allergies and perhaps even set up a meeting to discuss the allergies with teachers, educational assistants and the principal.
• Asking if there is an allergy policy at the school and if the staff are trained to use an EpiPen is very important Schools and teachers know that student safety is the number one priority!
• Your child needs to be aware of the symptoms of a severe allergic reaction, so they know what to do and when to tell their teacher or parent. Knowing the basics can go a long way!
• Once you know the symptoms it’s important that anyone with a life-threatening allergy has an unexpired EpiPen within reach. Young children, like Mason and Asher, should give their EpiPen to their teachers just to make sure no other children can get a hold of them. Older children should keep them in their backpack or even inside a bag they carry around like a fanny pack. The EpiPen should not be in their lockers where it’s not readily available to them. Being sure that your child and everyone around them is as prepared as possible is the most important thing.

• Lastly, completing an anaphylaxis emergency plan is key to ensure all teachers and caregivers are aware of what is required in case of this emergency.

This product may not be right for you. Always read and follow the label.

Epinephrine auto-injectors are indicated for the emergency treatment of anaphylaxis. EpiPen is emergency treatment that does not replace seeing a doctor or going to the hospital.